Jim cannot fix it for Tudor

Jim won't fix it for Alex Tudor to play his first limited-overs international but Nasser Hussain just might come Sunday morning.

Tudor has watched England's opening four NatWest Series matches from the sidelines and the Surrey fast bowler will head for Manchester this weekend wondering whether he should expect to face Sri Lanka.

Hussain would not commit himself after rain had brought about the abandonment of last night's latest triangular tournament game, against India, at Chester-le-Street.

But the captain offered Tudor hope for Sunday and then suggested that, whenever his time comes, he can anticipate a real opportunity to prove himself.

"Alex has got every chance," said Hussain when asked whether Sunday might see the 24-year-old making his one-day debut. But it's not just a case of 'here, have a game, son' because you need to give the people you first selected a good chance.

"We've done that with Matthew Hoggard and James Kirtley. You have to give people a fair crack and when Alex Tudor gets his chance then he'll get a fair crack.

"But it's not a case of 'please fix it for me to play for England, Jim',"

Yorkshire paceman Hoggard was left out of yesterday's contest after his previous 13 overs in the tournament, against India and Sri Lanka, had gone for 115 runs.

Now Sussex's Kirtley is the fast bowler with figures to fret about following an analysis of 10-0-77-1 during a match at the Riverside Ground that will be remembered most for Sachin Tendulkar's first one-day century against England.

Tudor would have no qualms about tackling the Sri Lankans at Old Trafford. For it was on that ground three weeks ago where he performed outstandingly well to finish with match figures of seven for 109 as the summer's first visitors were beaten in the final Test.

The trickiest decision for England this weekend, though, is likely to concern Graham Thorpe. They 'rested' the Surrey batsman yesterday, later adding that an ankle he turned on the eve of the Old Trafford Test was still sore.

Thorpe had totalled only 45 runs from three innings in the triangular tournament and his absence at Chester-le-Street should have given replacement Michael Vaughan a chance to offer England another batting option.

Instead, the rain arrived last night before Vaughan could get to the crease. But, bearing in mind that policy of giving players a "fair crack", he ought to retain his place for Old Trafford.

By then, England may be guaranteed a place in next weekend's final. If India beat Sri Lanka at Edgbaston tomorrow the islanders will be out of the running. Either way, India are likely to remain tournament favourites.

Hussain's men bowled and fielded well for 40 overs yesterday but couldn't prevent Tendulkar from orchestrating a lightning surge to 285 for four. England were not out the hunt when the rain came but, at 53 for one, they looked happier than India to pack their bags early.